Giants were at Albert Park in Te Awamutu on Friday evening as the Balloons visit Waipā event brought fun and colour for all ages.
Te Awamutu’s Olivia Gash and son Kylin (left) enjoy the atmosphere with Kihikihi-based Bailey Gore and son Fordie. Photo: Jesse Wood
The hot air balloon visitation coincided with the annual Hamilton-based Balloons Over Waikato Festival.
The five-day festival has been on the calendar since 1999, bringing visitors and pilots from around the globe.
The balloons were tethered to the ground, giving fans the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal.
The giant jack-o-lantern begins to awake from slumber at Albert Park. Photo: Jesse Wood
Te Awamutu News 27 March 2025
Kihikihi resident Bailey Gore who grew up in Cambridge said the Friday evening gathering was a great event for Waipā.
She took her son Fordie for his first experience of hot air balloon viewing.
“I found out about it from some of my mum friends. Judging by the numbers here, the community are excited by it,” Gore said.
“It’s also a great opportunity to get out of the house, spend time with friends and give Fordie some early memories.”
Crews from Te Awamutu Hato Hone St John as well at the Te Awamutu and Pirongia voluntary fire brigades were there amping up the community spirit.
Flames shoot into the Ms Autumn balloon during the inflation process. Photo: Jesse Wood
Photos with the fire trucks certainly kept the children busy as they waited for the balloons to inflate.
One of the crowd favourites was the huge jack-o-lantern pumpkin Ms Autumn from the United States.
Ms Autumn was created in 1994 and is piloted by Montana’s Colin Graham of Endeavor Ballooning.
Fellow American pilot Gary Moore was there to show the masses his brainy bird, Owlbert Eyenstein, a play on words for the famous physicist Albert Einstein.
Three other balloons were there including the Independent Traffic Control balloon, Happy 2, piloted by Leamington-based Rolf Dennler.
Leamington-based pilot Rolf Dennler prepares his balloon for inflation. Photo: Jesse Wood
He and wife Glenda moved from Australia three years ago but have been attending the festival since 2003.
“I’ve been a licensed pilot since 1994. I was ballooning before as a student pilot,” Dennler said.
“I like it [in Cambridge]. Everybody is flying in Hamilton but I’m the only one flying in Cambridge because there’s lots of horses. All you have to do is fly higher and you won’t upset the horses.”
The Albert Park fields were littered with families and their picnic blankets as they soaked up the scenery, enjoying food and music.
A free bus service from Cambridge and Leamington connected Waipā residents at the one venue.
The recognisable walk-through balloon was very popular with the crowds. Photo: Jesse Wood
Emma Lewis took advantage of the inter-town service and was highly impressed.
“Fantastic Community spirit. I caught the 4.30pm with my daughter it was full,” Lewis said.
“It was lovely seeing people and children giving up their seats for others.
“Everyone was very cheerful and happy, great ride home too, no problems. It was a fantastic service, especially being free. Nice one Waipā.”
“I’m delighted balloons are back in our district for another year,” Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan said.
“It’s always such a highlight for the community.”
Saturday night saw the culmination of the festivities, with the night glow held at the Claudelands Oval in Hamilton.
The Ms Autumn balloon rises above the crowd at Albert Park, Te Awamutu. Photo: Jesse Wood
